A small book with a big message. The memories of Toni from as a child and hobo's coming to their doorstep to get breakfast, marking their doorpost asA small book with a big message. The memories of Toni from as a child and hobo's coming to their doorstep to get breakfast, marking their doorpost as a safe house. Watching her friends ride the rails and how her grandparents treated them. She then comes full circle at the end of the book when she is offering hope to the homeless she meets with a lunch. I love that it isn't some huge effort on Toni's part, it is simple, yet life changing. Something we all could take personally and do the same. Making small steps and one person at a time, changing lives for Christ. ...more

This book made me laugh out loud on numerous occassions. As a goat owner myself I was able to relate well to the author as he decided to start on hisThis book made me laugh out loud on numerous occassions. As a goat owner myself I was able to relate well to the author as he decided to start on his goat journey. He describes choosing the goats, getting the barns reading, buying them and travelling to their new home. The relationship with the new goats, their personalities, habits, and interesting characteristics. I could relate so well to the descriptions of the goats, their hierarchy within the group and with the humans. Laughed hard at the writing about the breeding season and the familiarity with the same thoughts we have had. For someone with goats, or desiring to have them in the future it was a very fun book and very relational to other goat herders. If you dont like goats, you won't get it. It is geared to a very specific audience. I would have rated it higher if it weren't for the evolution discussion in the book as I believe in creation and didn't think that the background of the goat had to go back to primortial soup. I did like how the author found different names for goats, poems, old sayings and such to show that goats have held a strong place in the history and religions of the world. Well done discussion on the art of cheese making as well as the difference between raw and pastuerized milk. 4 stars and fun read! ...more

January 2011 an earthquake shaked Haiti’s world, and many of those who had ties to the people and ministries in Haiti. Kent AnAfter Shock – Kent Annan

January 2011 an earthquake shaked Haiti’s world, and many of those who had ties to the people and ministries in Haiti. Kent Annan has worked in Haiti for many years and was in the USA when the earthquake happened. 6 days later he landed back in Haiti to see the devastation. This book chronicles Kent’s faith as he sees first hand trauma as well as the continuation of faith in God by those most affected.As Kent sits amongst what once was a church he says “The rubble seems like evidence of God’s absence or abandonment, and yet here I sit, talking and eating the rubbled body of Christ. (in a church service taking communion). Here week after week, people come to find Jeuss. The rubble may make him harder to find, but maybe, like the rafters in the center of this leveled church, he never left and never will.”The book starts out just like a person going through the stages of a death and leads to the ending emotional of acceptance and the realization that in the tragedy, God is still present. When I started this book I didn’t care for it. I felt like the author was being to unforgiving, too transparent for me..someone who hasn’t lived through the tragedy. I decided to muddle through it and was glad I did as I began to see Kent’s progressing through the emotional phases, and coming to the honest faith he was searching for. I just loved the stories of the Haitian people and all that they had gone through, yet in their loss they still praised God. The Haitian Christians have earned my deepest respect in a situation that I am not sure many in America could endure and still come out with their faith intact on the other side. “It was like the world was ending and Jesus didn’t show up…but then God did, when_________ came and was so kind”. A stranger. A friend. Offering encouragement or a meal, a job or a room to stay in.” It was easy to see the love of Jesus in the midst of the tragedy....more

Ann's story begin with the tragic death of her 18 month old sister Aimee; "that hideous November day that branded our lives". She lived a childhood ofAnn's story begin with the tragic death of her 18 month old sister Aimee; "that hideous November day that branded our lives". She lived a childhood of distrust in God and His goodness, though a Christian in word, she was not fully alive in Him.Now as a homeschool mom of 6 and wife to a farmer,(sound vaguely familiar!) Ann desires to live fully and see more of God. Jesus laid the foundation for Thanksgiving "Eucharisteo" in His communion with the disciples. "Thanksgiving always preceds the miracle". Ingratitude was the fall of man in the garden of Eden. It starts with a challenge from a friend to write a list of 1000 blessings or gifts that God gives. As she starts the list she begins to see growth in her life in thanksgiving and joy. She shares this growing experience with the readers as she quotes key scriptures, sermon notes, and personal reflections. Ann's writing styloe is lyrical, poetic, and honest. Written in a way that you feel you are sitting with her in the living room with a cup of tea. It pierces through you and moves you emotionally. Such a simple act "eucharisteo" but so many times choose to ignore it. I loved how Ann shared with us some of her listed items as examples of what we could put into our own lists. This was one of the best books I have read in a long time and it is already impacting my life with positive change as I strive to live more fully in Him. 5 plus stars!

I received a copy of this book from Zondervan for free, this has in no way influenced my review. ...more

BarnheartJenna WoginrichThe incurable longing for a farm of one’s ownJenna is a witty, well rounded homesteader with a knack for finding the funniestBarnheartJenna WoginrichThe incurable longing for a farm of one’s ownJenna is a witty, well rounded homesteader with a knack for finding the funniest things about farming and living off the land. I loved her book Chick Days and when I saw she had a memoir out I knew it would be a memorable read. Jenna as she mentions in her intro goes from urban designer to rural shepherd. She starts her memoir with a chapter on “How to know if you are infected”. Infected with what you ask? Barnheart.. the desire to be a farmer but due to circumstances it just isn’t happening at the current time. Don’t fret, hold tight and know you are not alone. Having recently moved off our farm to a much smaller property I can seriously relate to Jenna. I had a farm and no longer do, having gone from a full farm to just a few chickens and rabbits. My heart longs for the goats and cows again and the title homesteader.. but circumstances just don’t allow it right now. If I had read this prior to the move I don’t think it would have the significant impact that it did now. I have more empathy for those who desire the rural life and haven’t arrived there yet. Taking off to Vermont Jenna plays her fiddle right into the heart of New Englanders, despite her quirkiness. I think she was just what they needed! It isn’t always smooth sailing though, as Jenna learns lessons about living on a real farm. Not the story book kind of farm, but the downright dirty and hectic farm that is a ton of work and not always a huge payout. Jenna blogs at http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com about her life of homesteading. She is always encouraging others to join in the fun and embrace the country life. Reading her memoir is like sitting down on her country porch talking with her about her farm and critters. Fantastic memoir for those who suffer Barnheart and for those who just love hearing about the antics of the farm life. I received a copy of this book from Storey in exchange for an honest review. Get your copy today!!

A testimony to God’s unfailing love, and how through Him your passion and desire to serve can be ignited.

Jay and Beth Loecken were a typical family lA testimony to God’s unfailing love, and how through Him your passion and desire to serve can be ignited.

Jay and Beth Loecken were a typical family living the American dream, great job, nice house, cars, toys, and not lacking for any ‘thing’. Yet they were missing out on something and couldn’t quite put their finger on it. Deciding to take a mission trip to Africa with 3 of their 4 children and serve in a small community changed their way of thinking from then forward.

They were missing what God had called them to and got caught up in the ‘stuff’ that the world calls us to. Giving up all the ‘stuff’ and going on the road in an RV the family set out to serve where God led them. They met families along the way that they were able to be blessed by and be a blessing. They worked side by side with churches sharing their message of not only talking about helping others, but coming along side of them and going out and getting programs started.

Throughout the book Jay and Beth share their own personal testimonies, stories from their childhood, and ways God has worked in their lives. We read bits from the children and how the experience of travelling in the RV has affected them. An autobiography of their mission and how God brought it to fruition, not only in their own lives but also in a way to share it with others.

I loved the open honesty of Jay and Beth, like they were talking to good friends in writing the book. They didn’t hold back from their story and make it sound all glittery and golden but gave us the hardships that came with starting a ministry such as this. They didn’t write as if they were hero’s, but more like those who they served were the real hero’s. They were very big into Random Acts of Kindness which is a universally understood concept. I loved how they could utilize that with fellow Christians as well as those who were unsaved. It was definitely a book that got me thinking, am I living for the now or am I living for eternity??...more

Unbroken is a series of testimonies on how God loves us and never leaves us. A booUnbroken Written by Unbroken CorporationPublished by Tate Publishing

Unbroken is a series of testimonies on how God loves us and never leaves us. A book on real life stories of the world and its enemy Satan tearing down women of all walks of life. Stories of alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, low self-worth and dysfunctional upbringings, all affecting women’s view of themselves and the life created for them. Stories of hope in God and being ‘unbroken’ rather than broken as our Father fixes the broken hearted.

9 women share their stories but the reader does not know whom each story belongs to. Photos of each of the women, untitled follows the introduction. This shows the reader that you can’t just look at someone and see that they look ‘normal’ on the outside, so you assume they are ok on the inside. Each of these beautiful women have been through struggles that only God could redeem. Showing awareness that each person has a story and we should be wary to start rattling off things when we don’t know how each person struggles. Each story draws the reader into their turmoil and discord, only to be brought back through the hope that only the love of Jesus Christ can bring.

I received a copy of this book from Tate in exchange for an honest review. ...more